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Way too many categories

I'd suggest that you reduce the number of categories to a much more manageable number, like two. Right now there are so many categories that any given question could be posted in three or four or more areas. The poster might miss the person who could answer their question or the poster may post in all categories that he or she thinks might apply.

Go to Cartalk,com and look at their bulletin board. It had only two categories, one to discuss the show and one for car questions. There are no sub categories for type, make, area of question or any of that. Everyone jumps in the same pool, and this is a very active board. I think this board would be a lot better if it was done the same way.

Re: Way too many categories

So if I'm getting the jist of this after reading a bit, I'm not seeing discussion so much as questions and answers. Seems like most people only pop in to ask their specific question and go. Are they really interested in looking around regardless of how many categories there are? One or 50 I'm not sure it would matter for those people. I think as a question and answer place it's a pretty good set up.

By view counts vs # of posts per thread, there are those who like to read and learn but don't have a question to ask. There's really not a place here for open discussion for the average Joe or Jane to just shoot the home improvement breeze.

To be honest, it's a little intimidating to put your neck out there in such exalted company. Don't get me wrong, I like it plenty and love reading through, I'm just saying I'm not sure if it's a place where people would come to shoot the breeze and feel comfortable as just an interested do it yourselfer. Even though when you read what it's all about, it sounds like it would be.

Re: Way too many categories

I am a new member also, and yes, I understand what you mean. I would LOVE to discuss my problem, but I guess I will just start a new thread and put it out there and hope for the best.
Good luck to you also.
pjay999

Re: Way too many categories

Well I see that you have added a few more categories since I last visited. Going the wrong direction here.

Since you seem to want to keep adding, I have another suggestion. Have a folder at the top where a link to all new posts would go, regardless of which category they are posted in. They would stay there for a short period of time, say 24 hours or 3 days or one week. The duration would depend on how many new posts you get a day and how often the helpful members visit.

You wouldn't want this folder to get too big so you may or may not want to put the link in when a post is answered. If you do this, an active or controversial post could spend a lot of time there. I'm kinda thinking that the time should be limited to the original post.

If a post turns into a bashing contest, the link could be deleted so that the combatants can continue under the category that it was originally posted in, or could be dropped completely if the combatants violate the board rules.

Check out fixya,com to see how they do it. They have as many or more categories as you, but they cover everything

Re: Way too many categories

Originally Posted by Hatsephsut

So if I'm getting the jist of this after reading a bit, I'm not seeing discussion so much as questions and answers. Seems like most people only pop in to ask their specific question and go. Are they really interested in looking around regardless of how many categories there are? One or 50 I'm not sure it would matter for those people. I think as a question and answer place it's a pretty good set up.

By view counts vs # of posts per thread, there are those who like to read and learn but don't have a question to ask. There's really not a place here for open discussion for the average Joe or Jane to just shoot the home improvement breeze.

To be honest, it's a little intimidating to put your neck out there in such exalted company. Don't get me wrong, I like it plenty and love reading through, I'm just saying I'm not sure if it's a place where people would come to shoot the breeze and feel comfortable as just an interested do it yourselfer. Even though when you read what it's all about, it sounds like it would be.

exactly. thing is a few grand pooh-bahs too many around here and they chase most people away really fast. it was a great board when it was first set up then the pooh-bahs and bah-humbugs showed up running up their post counts and being rude to many, destroyed the entire purpose and set up of this board.